Head Over Heels
Songs by The Go-Go's
Based on 'The Arcadia' by Sir Philip Sidney
Conceived and Original Book by Jeff Whitty
Adapted by James Magruder
Directed and Choreographed by Michael C. Flores

E.C. Mabie Theatre | UI Theatre Building

Approximate run time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission.

Head Over Heels contains themes and imagery exploring gender identity and self-expression. Performances includes moments of sexual innuendo, intimacy with same sex partners, and violence as well as depictions of rigid social structures being challenged and transformed.

Please be advised this production also contains theatrical haze, fog, and strobe lights.

Head Over Heels, conceived by Jeff Whitty and adapted by James Magruder, is a glittering, rebellious musical fueled by the Go-Go’s iconic hits. Directed and choreographed by Michael C. Flores, this production channels the spirit of your favorite pop concert, powered by the music that shaped your favorite artist’s favorite artist. Elizabethan language collides with 1980s punk and new wave in a story where a royal prophecy threatens the king's crown, thrusting the kingdom into a transformative journey. Daring, joyful, and brash, Head Over Heels is a raucous anthem that offers a window into a more hopeful, more liberated future.

Special thanks to Ryan Adelsheim for your support to this production.

Performances:
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Purchase your tickets in advance through Hancher Box Office by calling 319-335-1160 or online through their website.

The Box Office at the Theatre Building opens one hour prior to the performance, with tickets on an as-available basis, unless the production is sold out.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Department of Theatre Arts at 319-335-2700 in advance of the event.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense. 

Original Broadway Production produced by
Christine Russell Louise Gund Donovan Leitch Rick Ferrari
Gwyneth Paltrow
Scott Sigman Hunter Arnold Tom Kirdahy Jordan Roth

The World Premiere of “Head Over Heels” took place at Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Bill Rauch/Artistic Director; Cynthia Rider/Executive Director

Developed with the support of New York Stage and Film & Vassar's Powerhouse Theater, Summer 2016

Head Over Heels is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)

Head Over Heels is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)

Song List/Composers/Lyricists/Music Publishers

“Automatic Rainy Day” written by Regina Schock, Steve Plunkett, and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Plunksongs (BMI), Schock It to Me Music c/o PEN Music Group Inc. (ASCAP) and Wiedwacker Music (ASCAP).

“Beautiful” by Charlotte Caffey and Regina Schock. Used by permission of Schock It to Me Music c/o PEN Music Group Inc. (ASCAP) and Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Cool Jerk” by Donald Storboll. Used by permission of T/Q Music Inc. c/o BMG Bumblebee (BMI).

“Get Up and Go” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Good Girl” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Head Over Heels” by Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Spirit Services (ASCAP).

“Heaven is a Place on Earth” by Richard Nowels, Jr. and Ellen Shipley. Used by permission of BMG Bumblebee (BMI) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Spirit Services Holdings, S.a.r.l (ASCAP).

“Here You Are” by James Vallance, Charlotte Caffey, and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Wiedwacker Music (ASCAP), Chargo Music (ASCAP), and Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“How Much More” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Lust to Love” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Mad About You” by Paula Jean Brown, James Francis Whelan and Mitchel Young Evans. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Len Freedman Music, Inc. on behalf of Lilac Drive Music (ASCAP).

“Our Lips are Sealed” by Jane Wiedlin and Terence Edward Hall. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) on behalf of itself and Plangent Visions Music Ltd. (ASCAP).

“Skidmarks on My Heart” by Belinda Carlisle and Charlotte Caffey. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Punishment Tunes c/o BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP).

“This Old Feeling” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Turn to You” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Vacation” by Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Some Other Music (ASCAP).

“Vision of Nowness” by Kathy Valentine and Craig Ross. Used by permission of Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Some Other Music and Wigged Music (BMI).

“We Got the Beat” by Charlotte Caffey. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).